There was a statement issued on the differences by the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, in 1895 which enumerated many issues, signed by Patriarch Anthimos VII of Constantinople, Bishops Nicodemos of Cyzicos, Philotheos of Nicomedia, Jerome of Nicæa, Nathanael of Prusa, Basil of Smyrna, Stephen of Philadelphia, Athanasios of Lemnos, Bessarion of Dyrrachium, Dorotheos of Belgrade, Nicodemos of Elasson, Sophronios of Carpathos and Cassos and Dionysios of Eleutheropolis. The issues:I know that the pope and some and eastern bishops want to reunify, but a portion of both churches don’t want reunification. But can’t we just settle down, unite, and have a huge council of each problem. Because I’m thinking of converting and I hate making choices. I just hope that they unite so that choice making decisions will be easier.
We tried at the Second Council of Lyons and at the Council of Florence and each time there was a reunion, with all disputed points of dogmatic substance being settled in the Catholic favor. Unfortunately, the East renewed the separation each time shortly afterward.But can’t we just settle down, unite, and have a huge council of each problem.
Unfortunately, as recent history shows, the EO Churches have trouble even getting their own various Churches to participate in an EO synod, never mind one of this great import with the Catholic Church. There is also a major schism among two of their most prominent patriarchates, which wouldn’t help.But at this time when, by the advice of Our Venerable Brethren the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, We have proclaimed and called together an Ecumenical Synod to be celebrated next year in Rome and to be begun on the eighth of December sacred to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary Mother of God, We again direct Our voice to you, and with the greatest possible earnestness beseech, admonish, and pressingly exhort you that you would come to the same general Synod, as your ancestors came to the Second Council of Lyons held by Our Predecessor Blessed Gregory X. of venerable memory, and to the Council of Florence held by Eugenius IV of happy memory also Our Predecessor; in order that the conditions of former love being renewed, and the peace of our Fathers—that heavenly and healthful gift of Christ which has withered by lapse of time—having been once more revoked to vigour, after the long-continued cloud of grief and black and deplorable night of long-continued dissension, the light of desired union may shine upon all.
I hope that reunification is imminent! I think this is going to happen in stages, with particular churches one at a time. I don’t think that we can unite, though, before the councils or whatever talks and agreements must be made so that neither side is compromising the faith as they understand it.I know that the pope and some and eastern bishops want to reunify, but a portion of both churches don’t want reunification. But can’t we just settle down, unite, and have a huge council of each problem. Because I’m thinking of converting and I hate making choices. I just hope that they unite so that choice making decisions will be easier.